Border Protection Agents Rescue Man Lost in Mountains, Determine He Was in Country Illegally

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found the man in good health and no medical attention was necessary.

A man who illegally crossed the border into the United States from Mexico had to be rescued in the mountains early Thursday morning.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) received a distress call from a man claiming to be alone and lost in the mountains southwest of Octillo at around 3 a.m.

The ICSO transferred the call to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s El Cento Sector dispatch and provided agents with GPS coordinates of the lost man’s location.

BORSTAR, the El Centro Sector Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue team, was immediately activated. The man was found shortly after in good health and required no medical attention.

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Agents identified the man as a 20-year-old Mexican national who was in the country illegally. BORSTAR transported the man to the El Centro Station for processing.

“This rescue is another reminder of the risks and dangers associated with illegally crossing into the United States,” Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim said. “This lifesaving event can be attributed to the dedication and commitment of our agents who work tirelessly to protect and secure our borders.”

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